Nell Nolan's Social Scene: Parties send freshman off to college in style

Two recent events combined goodbye and welcome, thanks to send-off parties for Georgetown and Southern Methodist universities. The hosting families were Dr. and Mrs. Juan Gershanik, whose alumnus son, Alex, also held out a hand in greeting, and Dr. Mary and Robert Lupo, parents of sophomore student Francesca.

The Georgetown gathering, a reception in honor of new area students Sam Buckley, Nicholas Falba, Welles Robinson, Mason Hoffman (in absentia) and Kellen Dawson (in absentia), also hailed the above Alex Gershanik, president of the Georgetown Club of New Orleans. In his welcome speech, he included his personal memories of attending the university and gave the students Georgetown mementos to take with them to school. Other alumni likewise shared their experiences.

The party premises were decorated in Georgetown's official blue and gray, colors the university adopted in 1866 to symbolize the union of the North and the South following the Civil War. As is Georgetown (which has students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries), the food at the party was international. Included were lox and capers, hummus, European cheeses and Argentine wines (reflecting the background of the Gershanik family).

Some of the chatter at the gathering concerned the new McDonough School of Business, an $82.5 million facility with 179,000 square feet, which opened this past year and was described as "one of the most impressive modern buildings on any college campus in the country." More talk tapped famous alumni, such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones, Senate majority whip Dick Durbin, House majority leader Steny Hoyer, Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuno, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Edward Douglass White.

A red convertible piled high with dorm-room necessities and accessories was depicted on the front of the "SMU Summer Send-Off" invitation. "Before they pack up and head off to SMU, join us as we welcome first-year students and their parents" was scripted on the other side, as were the names of the hosts, Mary and Robert and Francesca Lupo, and the suggested attire: business casual.

Of the 13 new students from the area who were to matriculate at SMU, nine were present, as were many returning students. Noted were Patricia Boh with parents Ann and Robert, Helen Kohnke with mom Kaki and dad Rick, Meredith Chehardy with parents Margaret and Lawrence, Maggie Murphy with dad Rick, Colt Richmond with mom Robyn, Joseph Clark with parents Michele and Drew, Austin Smith with mother and father Monica and Jim, and the incoming Shelby Sanderford and Celeste Favrot. In addition to Francesca Lupo, returning students Ella Bright, Brett Davis and Valerie Exnicios were joined by respective parents Ashley and Edgar, Jane and William, and Victoria and Val.

Halfway through the event, John Spaulding, regional director of development for SMU, extended a welcome, thanked the Lupos for their hospitality, and mentioned that there were more than 1,400 anticipated first-year students (including freshmen from 39 foreign countries) and wished all, students and parents alike, the very best for the school year.

Prior to and following his words, folks cast an eye on the red-and-blue floral decorations by Villere's Florist and savored the catering by Patton's with such taste treats as crawfish dip, blackened pork loin, penne pasta and pork loin. French pastries capped the meal.

Dr. Mary Lupo frequently is mentioned in national press and was featured by name in the August issue of Allure magazine.

Around and about the Crescent City, Ye Olde College Inn was the site for supping recently for Tim and Kay Favrot and sister-in-law Patsy Gibbons, T.J. Crawford, Mark Romig and dozens more. Two days later, the Rev. Greg Schmidt, Bill Finegan, Ted Laborde and Dick Simmons broke bread at lunch at Commander's Palace.

"Shopping with Cocktails and Gelato" marqueed a recent event at Saks Fifth Avenue, hosts along with clothier Theory for the aforementioned treats, drawings, special gifts (makeup, cosmetics, outfits, cuts and styles, etc.) and a fashion show. It was applauded by the store's Carolyn Elder and Stephen Putt -- along with Etienne Dages-Desgranges, one of the dozens of audience members -- and featured as "Theory Guest Models" Ashley Acosta, Rachel Barrios, Jillian Daguil, Katie Dumestre, Emily Garrett, Amy Laviolette, Shannon Line, Erin Lowry, Ali McGuinness, Christian Ramirez, Rustin Steib and Erik Williams.

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Society columnist Nell Nolan can be reached at nnolan@timespicayune or 504.826.3455. Read more at nola.com/society.